Zapier vs n8n: which fits your business in 2026?
Tasks vs executions — why Zapier's app catalog and n8n's billing unit (plus self-host) decide the real automation bill.
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Pricing verified 2026-06-12 · updated 2026-07-19→ Run the full cost calculator for your exact volume
Quick answer
At ~10,000 tasks/executions/mo, n8n costs about $65/mo vs $345/mo for Zapier (entry verified tiers; see assumptions).
n8n Community self-host removes execution fees (you run Docker/VPS); Cloud numbers in the table are the apples-to-apples SaaS comparison.
Cost at 1k / 10k / 50k
| Volume / mo | ZZapier | Nn8n |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $69/mo · Team | $26/mo · Starter (Cloud) |
| 10,000 | $345/mo · Team (scaled) Extrapolated from 2,000 tasks @ $69/mo |
$65/mo · Pro (Cloud) |
| 50,000 | $1,725/mo · Team (scaled) Extrapolated from 2,000 tasks @ $69/mo |
$325/mo · Pro (Cloud) (scaled) Extrapolated from 10,000 executions @ $65/mo |
Volumes = tasks (Zapier) / credits (Make) / executions (n8n Cloud). Billing units differ — same numeric volume is not the same workload. n8n Community self-host is $0 for executions (VPS only); table shows Cloud. Prices verified from vendor pages in our pricing index.
3-year TCO (at 10,000/mo)
| ZZapier | Nn8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly (est.) | $345 | $65 |
| 3-year total | $12,420 | $2,340 |
n8n saves about $10,080 over 3 years at this volume (list price only).
Volumes = tasks (Zapier) / credits (Make) / executions (n8n Cloud). Billing units differ — same numeric volume is not the same workload. n8n Community self-host is $0 for executions (VPS only); table shows Cloud.
At a glance
| ZZapier | Nn8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.2/5 | 4.33/5 |
| Starting price | $20/mo | $26/mo |
| Pricing basis | per month, 750 tasks, billed annually | per month, 2,500 executions (Cloud Starter, billed annually) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Integrations | 8000+ | 500+ |
| Best for | Non-technical users who need the widest app coverage for automations | Technical teams that want unlimited workflow complexity, AI-native nodes and the option to self-host for free |
| Zapier review → | n8n review → |
Winner by use case
- Tightest budget: Zapier — entry plan is $6/mo cheaper ($72/year at entry tier).
- Fastest to learn: Zapier (4.5/5 ease of use).
- Most capability: n8n (4.7/5 feature depth).
- Best value overall: n8n (4.8/5 value score).
Feature matrix
| ZZapier | Nn8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trial days | 14 | 14 |
| AI features | 4 | 4 |
| Integrations | 8000+ | 500+ |
| Ease of use | 4.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Feature depth | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Value for money | 3.7/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
Pricing, side by side
ZZapier
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | Free / custom |
| Professional | $20/mo |
| Team | $69/mo |
Verified 2026-06-12 · Pricing source
Nn8n
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Community (self-hosted) | Free / custom |
| Starter (Cloud) | $26/mo |
| Pro (Cloud) | $65/mo |
Verified 2026-07-01 · Pricing source
Strengths and weaknesses
ZZapier
- If an app exists, Zapier probably connects it
- Easiest mental model: trigger then actions
- AI builder turns plain text into working Zaps
- Huge documentation and community
- Task-based pricing gets expensive at volume
- Complex logic clunky vs Make's visual canvas
- Multi-step Zaps need paid plan
- Polling delays on lower tiers
Nn8n
- Far cheaper than Zapier/Make at high volume - executions not tasks
- AI agent workflows are first-class, not an add-on
- Self-hosted community edition is genuinely free
- Huge and fast-growing template ecosystem
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- Cloud plans cap active workflows on lower tiers
- Fewer polished native app integrations than Zapier's 8,000
- Self-hosting means you manage updates and uptime
Our verdict
Feature parity is not the fight. Zapier wins on "does this obscure app connect?" n8n wins on "what does the same workflow cost at 10k+ runs?" — and on whether you can self-host for free.
The billing unit decides the invoice
- Zapier bills tasks. Each action step in a multi-step Zap usually burns one task. A 10-step Zap that runs 1,000 times is ~10,000 tasks.
- n8n Cloud bills executions. One full workflow run counts once, whether it has 5 nodes or 50.
At high volume with multi-step logic, Zapier's task meter climbs much faster than n8n's execution meter. Model both in the automation cost calculator before locking a stack. The cost table above uses verified tiers and linear scale above the largest published capacity.
Self-hosting: n8n's escape hatch
n8n Community Edition is source-available and free with unlimited executions on your own server. A small VPS often beats any SaaS bill once you pass a few thousand runs. Zapier has no equivalent. Caveat: you own updates, backups and uptime.
When Zapier still wins
- You need an app that only exists in Zapier's 8,000+ catalog.
- Non-technical builders must ship today with minimal training.
- Volume stays low (hundreds of tasks/month) and setup speed beats unit economics.
Hidden costs and limits
- Zapier Professional starts at 750 tasks; Team at 2,000 — multi-step Zaps hit ceilings fast.
- n8n Cloud caps active workflows on lower tiers (5 on Starter).
- n8n learning curve is real (expressions, JSON). Zapier's mental model is simpler.
When to choose neither
Two apps, one trigger — a native integration may be free. Complex visual scenarios with iterators point to Make or n8n vs Make. Enterprise SSO/audit logs may need Workato-class tools.
Choose Zapier if catalog breadth and ease beat unit cost. Choose n8n if workflows are multi-step or AI-heavy, someone can run Docker, or Cloud execution pricing already undercuts Zapier at your volume.
Pricing sources
- Zapier pricing — verified 2026-06-12
- n8n pricing — verified 2026-07-01
FAQ
Is Zapier cheaper than n8n?
Yes. Zapier starts at $20/mo versus $26/mo for n8n (per month, 750 tasks, billed annually). Over a year that is a $72 difference at entry tier.
Which is easier to use, Zapier or n8n?
Based on our scoring, Zapier is easier to get started with (ease-of-use 4.5/5 vs 3.8/5).
Which has more features, Zapier or n8n?
n8n scores higher on feature depth (4.7/5). Key differentiators: Executions-based pricing: one execution = whole workflow run, any number of steps; 500+ integrations plus HTTP request node for anything else; Code nodes (JavaScript/Python) inside visual flows.
What is the 3-year TCO of Zapier vs n8n?
At ~10,000 units/mo on verified tiers, Zapier is about $12,420 over 3 years ($345/mo) versus n8n at $2,340 ($65/mo). n8n saves roughly $10,080 across 3 years before add-ons. Volumes = tasks (Zapier) / credits (Make) / executions (n8n Cloud). Billing units differ — same numeric volume is not the same workload. n8n Community self-host is $0 for executions (VPS only); table shows Cloud.
Full reviews: Zapier review · n8n review
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